July 2010 Volume 148, No. 7 |
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FEATURES |
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Solar Tech Outlook Photovoltaics technology is emerging as a generation alternative—both for centralized and distributed facilities. Solar industry executives say their companies are overcoming obstacles to large-scale implementation. With advances in design and manufacturing, the future looks bright for utility-scale solar power. | |
PURPA's Changing Climate California’s new feed-in tariff (FIT) is creating a burgeoning market for green energy investments, but the policy has sparked a fierce battle over state authority to dictate wholesale power transactions. A federal case will determine whether the 1978 Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act pre-empts states from requiring purchases that exceed utilities’ avoided cost. | |
Efficiency Close-Up America's electric utilities understand their central role in taking efficiency and conservation to the next level. The industry has nearly doubled its spending on efficiency measures in the past few years. But encouraging customers to save energy won't be enough to keep pace with the electricity demands of a growing digital economy. The country's efficiency efforts will be most effective as part of a clean energy portfolio strategy. | |
Blue Ribbon Mission The Department of Energy assembled an all-star Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future. With such political and industry heavyweights as Brent Scowcroft, Lee Hamilton and John Rowe, the commission must be taken seriously. But can a broadly focused committee finish the decades-long battle to close the nuclear fuel cycle? | |
DEPARTMENTS |
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Frontlines Is customer engagement more about damage control, or helping customers understand their options? | |
| People Constellation promotes Maria Korsnick to Chief Nuclear Officer; Chip Pardee becomes Exelon's COO; plus executive changes at American Transmission, Entergy, Idaho Power, New Jersey Resources, Northwestern Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, Pinnacle West, Spectra Energy, TVA, Williams, EPRI and more... |
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Business
& Money Investor-owned utility executives have long understood the benefits of prepaid metering, but technical and regulatory roadblocks have prevented wide-scale implementation. Now, however, two IOUs -- Arizona Public Service and DTE -- are planning prepaid metering programs that could be offered to all customers. Smart metering technology might pave the way for prepaid to become a standard service. |
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Transactions
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Energy Risk & Markets FERC's proposed penalty guidelines provide the opportunity for improved regulation. More practical and consistent characteristics for determining penalty fine ranges will increase penalty predictability for industry violations of federal regulations -- and will make FERC's enforcement more fair and transparent. |
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Commission
Watch California's new feed-in tariff (FIT) is creating a burgeoning market for green energy investments, but the policy has sparked a fierce battle over state authority to dictate wholesale power transactions. A federal case will determine whether the 1978 PURPA law pre-empts states from requiring purchases that exceed utilities' avoided cost. |
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| Op-Ed Nuclear YIMBY Local communities welcome new reactor projects. By Ann Stouffer Bisconti |
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Technology Corridor | |
Vendor Neutral |
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Utility Business Directory |
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